The Insects of the Past Year and Progress in Insect S f tidies. 231 



The grapevine flea-beetle, Haltica chalybea (111.), is apparently on 

 the increase in Western New York, and is becoming a pest of the 

 grape-growers, if we may judge from the frequent inquiries received 

 of its habits and how to deal with it. Its multiplication should not 

 be permitted, but should be persistently fought by breaking up or re- 

 moving in the autumn its usual places of hibernation, as loose bark 

 and the refuse material of the vineyard, and by preventing the beetle 

 eating out the heart of the buds in early spring. It is claimed that 

 this form of injury can be prevented by spraying, in March, with a 

 mixture of lime- wash made with brine, to which is added some Lon- 

 don purple. The grapevine leaf-hoppers are also occasioning a great 

 amount of harm. I purpose as soon as may be to give them special 



A new insect pest has been exciting much interest in adjoining 

 States — in New Jersey and Pennsylvania — during the past year. As 

 yet it has not to my knowledge appeared in the State of New York,* 

 but as it will in all probability soon extend its range hither as it is 

 rapidly spreading northward, a few words in relation to it may serve 

 to give early knowledge of its presence, and thereby enable farmers 

 to meet it promptly and check its increase. 



The larger number of our most harmful insect pests have been 

 brought to us from Europe, and this is one of the latest additions to 

 the extended list of much to be regretted importations that might be 

 given. It is native to the south of France. Ic was first noticed in 

 Pennsylvania in 1886, and from its habit of collecting in masses on 

 the horns of cattle so as completely to cover and blacken them toward 

 their base, it has been given the common name of the " cow-horn fly." 

 Other names that have been applied to it, are "cow-fly," "horn-fly," 

 " Texan-fly " and " Buffalo-fly." Scientifically it is Hamiatobia serrata 

 & Desv. It is a small insect, not so large as the common house-fly 

 °ut resembling it in general appearance, and is quite closely allied to 

 the common biting fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, which often greatly 

 annoys cattle and horses by inflicting its sharp bite, usually upon 

 their legs. Unlike that, however, this confines its attack to cattle, not 

 extending it to horses, mules or man. Greatly exaggerated state- 

 ments were at first made of the injury wrought by the fly. Common 

 report represented it as depositing eggs at the base of the horn, the 

 larva? hatching from which burrowed into the head, entering the 



